The City of Florence Public Service
Department is responsible for all maintenance, repairs,
rehabilitation and inspection for the Streets within the
City of Florence service area. The Department is
responsible for maintaining in excess of 150 lane miles
on more than 340 City Streets.
Streets within Florence were typically constructed
during the building booms of the '50s, '60s and '70s.
The streets were constructed of 6" thick concrete
reinforced with welded wire fabric and were designed for
a service life of approximately 20 to 30 years. Nearly
all of Florence's streets are built with a curb and
gutter cross section. Many of the streets were built
before subdivision regulation standards were in place
and construction practices varied between developers.
Street construction standards have been in place through
the Boone County Subdivision Regulations since the late
1980s.
Many streets are nearing the end of
their service lives. Pavement deterioration begins from
the moment they are built. Factors that contribute to
this deterioration include increased traffic and weight
loads, water, freeze/thaw cycles, and ultraviolet
radiation from the sun. These factors accelerate
pavement deterioration at the end of its design life.
The abundance of streets requiring repairs dictates the
need for a comprehensive repair strategy and pavement
management system.
This document presents a brief outline of the Florence
Public Services Department's pavement management
strategy. Ideally, cost effective street repairs occur
before a pavement reaches a poor condition. Recently,
the Department initiated a policy to conduct
preventative maintenance techniques to help prolong the
life of the pavements. Over the years, City streets
received a variety of repair and maintenance techniques.
Both concrete replacement and asphalt overlays were used
to repair deteriorated pavement surfaces. These repairs
were made on a worst first basis. The following
strategies and five year schedule strive to maintain the
City's streets in a good condition without the need to
use expensive reconstruction techniques.
This document is updated annually. All City streets are
reevaluated and monitored to update this schedule. This
allows for the possibility that a street might
deteriorate faster than anticipated causing a priority
to change. The Department may also adjust the repair
schedule to compensate for water, sewer and storm line
upgrade. Additionally, all cost figures are based off a
preliminary budget estimate. These estimates will be
updated based on a more thorough examination of the
needed repairs prior to the start of any work.
The City of Florence Public Services Department utilizes
four distinct road surface management strategies in its
daily routine. These strategies can be organized as
follows:
A fifth category, deferred action, could be added to the
above list. A street in the deferred action list would
be a street with a known deficiency but without funding
or resources to complete the corrective action
necessary.
*Routine Maintenance
The following activities conducted by the Department are
categorized as routine maintenance activities:
1. Pothole patching. Periodically, reports of potholes
on City streets are received from various sources. These
reports are monitored and compiled into a list of
requested repairs. Severe cases are repaired as soon as
possible after notification, typically within
seventy-two hours. All others are kept on record until
such time that crews and materials can be scheduled
effectively and efficiently. Generally, repairs are
scheduled when at least one ton of asphalt patching
material can be placed. Frequency and quantity of
potholes on a street is also a good indicator for other
potentially needed repairs.
2. Street sweeping. The Department's goal is to sweep
all streets within the City eight times per year. Street
sweeping removes dirt and debris which clog storm sewer
systems. This debris can sometimes contain environmental
contaminants which if left to drain into the storm
system can pollute local groundwater and stream systems.
Gravel and debris left on the pavement over time will
escalate surface wear. In addition, accumulated gravel
and debris on streets could create a potential safety
hazard to motorists.
Preventive Maintenance
The following street maintenance and repair activities
constitute the Department's preventive maintenance
strategies:
1. Cracksealing. Cracksealing joints and cracks in City
streets is perhaps one of the most critical preventive
maintenance activities conducted by the Department. The
cracksealing process places a petroleum based sealant in
cracks and joints in both flexible (asphalt) and rigid
(concrete) pavement surfaces. This sealant prevents
water infiltration under the street thereby preventing
subsurface erosion and the continued deterioration of
the crack. It also prevents debris from filling joints
and ultimately causing cracking.
The Departmental policy is to crackseal all City streets
on a five year schedule. The City is divided into five
sections. Each section contains approximately 23 miles
of streets. Each section is cracksealed once every five
years. Cracksealing is considered a major function of
the department. One of the city’s crews will crackseal
for up to six months of the year. Cracksealing can be
conducted at any time of year other than when
temperatures drop below 40° or when raining. It should
be noted that the Boone County Subdivision Regulations
require developers of new streets to crackseal at the
time of construction.
2. Undersealing. This process operates under the
principle that road surface is only as good as the base
upon which it sits. Undersealing is also known as "mudjacking."
Undersealing is effective when utilized under rigid
concrete pavements and flexible asphalt pavements. It
fills voids under the pavement surface with a slurry of
cement, fly ash and water. The voids are caused by
subsurface erosion. The undersealing grout mix cures
like a stiff soil and creates a stable base under the
pavement.
Departmental policy dictates that all streets scheduled
to receive an asphalt overlay be evaluated for
undersealing the year prior to resurfacing. Concrete
replacement streets are evaluated for undersealing needs
prior to conducting repairs. If necessary, the street is
added to the undersealing list. In addition, any street
with a known void beneath the pavement is undersealed.
Problems associated with subsurface drainage and drain
outlets are evaluated and addressed in conjunction with
undersealing.
3. Mill and Patch. Frequently, budgetary constraints do
not allow all needed repairs to be completed at the
appropriate times. When these instances occur, the
Department utilizes the repair technique known as "mill
and patch." The process involves identifying
deteriorated joints, cracks, or gutter lines in the
pavement, milling these areas out, and filling the voids
with asphalt pavement. This work is done by City crews.
This process can restore the rideability of the street.
Resurfacing can be delayed up to two to three years on
streets that have been milled and patched.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation strategies constitute a major portion of
the Department's yearly budget. The following approaches
are utilized by the Department:
1. Concrete Replacement. Concrete streets have a longer
service life than asphalt streets. Long term costs are
reduced when a street can retain a concrete surface.
Streets are evaluated yearly to determine replacement
needs. Ideally, the Department's goal is to keep
concrete streets concrete. City crews are skilled in
concrete replacement techniques. Typically, streets with
less than 40% replacement needs are completed by City
crews. It is generally not cost effective to replace
more than 40% of a concrete street with concrete. Failed
joints, cracks, and gutters are identified and marked in
the field. Other problems such as subsurface drainage
needs are evaluated and addressed at this time. The
marked sections are cut out and removed. The subgrade is
then prepared and stabilized prior to replacing the
concrete. Occasionally, exceptions to the 40% rule
occur, particularly when sub-base failures are prevalent
on the street. These types of failures require complete
removal of the failed pavement in order to correct the
sub-base problem. These cases are considered a
reconstruction technique rather than a rehabilitation
technique.
2. Mill and overlay. Concrete streets with more than 40%
replacement needs or deteriorated streets that were
previously overlaid are milled and overlaid with a new
asphalt surface. This type of work is bid out to an
outside contractor. The City Engineer evaluates these
streets and prepares plans and recommendations for the
rehabilitation. In many instances advanced paving
technologies such as paving fabrics and reflective crack
retardants are used to extend the life of the overlay
surface. Subsurface conditions are also evaluated after
the milling is completed. If more extensive repairs are
required, various repair strategies are explored and the
Engineer makes a recommendation.
This mill and overlay rehabilitation strategy also
provides the opportunity to address other issues that
may be present on the street. Frequently, deteriorated
catch basins are replaced and subsurface drains
installed and tied into the storm water system. If a
street has been previously overlaid and the existing
grades are acceptable, the Department sometimes elects
to replace the deteriorated roll curb with an extruded
box curb. If over 25% of an existing roll curb needs
replacement, then it is more cost effective to replace
the entire curb with a new extruded box curb. Box curb
replacement is less expensive than roll curb replacement
and is appropriate on fully developed streets where
driveway locations have been established.
Reconstruction
Reconstruction techniques are utilized when a street has
deteriorated to the point that rehabilitation strategies
do not adequately address the problems on that street.
Reconstruction is also used when a street can no longer
accommodate the traffic that uses the street or the
street was not originally constructed to City standards.
Some streets, such as Glen Rose, Locust and Clark Street
are gravel and may warrant an assessment in order to
bring up to current City standards. Each reconstruction
project is unique and a variety of engineering
techniques are used to improve the condition of the
street.
In addition to street maintenance,
the City of Florence is required to maintain several
bridges throughout Florence. A bridge is defined as a
structure erected over a depression or an obstruction,
and having a span of 20 feet or greater. There are four
vehicular bridges and one pedestrian bridge in the City
of Florence. The vehicular bridges include: a.) Belair
Drive over Viox Creek; b.) Meadowcreek Drive over
tributary to South Fork Creek; c.) William Haines Drive
over South Fork Creek; and d.) Old Hopeful Road over
Utterback Creek. The pedestrian bridge is located in
South Fork Park (Farmview Subdivision) over the South
Fork Creek.
The Kentucky Department of Transportation performs
biennial inspections to the vehicular bridges. A report
is issued to the City after each inspection detailing
the results of the inspection. Elements of the bridge
which require inspection include the deck,
superstructure, paint, substructure, channel, culvert,
and approaches to the bridge. The City of Florence is
required to inspect the pedestrian bridge at least once
every two years. The inspection is required to be
performed by a registered professional engineer, have a
minimum of 10 years experience in bridge inspections and
have completed a comprehensive training course based on
the “Bridge Inspector’s Training Manual”. The City will
be required to hire a qualified bridge inspector in
order to perform this inspection since no qualified
personnel are employed by the City.
Nearly all City streets are lit by
overhead street lights. City policy is to adequately
light streets to improve visibility and safety at night.
The City is responsible for providing street lights on
all streets within the City, including state routes.
KDOT only lights the interstate and interstate ramps.
There are approximately 1,100 street lights in the City
of Florence. Boone County Subdivision Regulations
require all new developments within the City of Florence
to include street lighting as a part of the development
plans. Street light installation is the responsibility
of the developer in new subdivisions. The City pays for
new street light installations in existing subdivisions.
The appropriate utility company is responsible for
maintenance of the street lights. The City pays for all
energy costs.
The Public Services Department
prides itself in its ability to quickly and efficiently
clear the City’s streets after a snow event. Snow
removal is considered an emergency operation. Clearing
the streets of snow is the Department’s top priority
until the streets are cleared. Departmental personnel
receive training every year on snow removal techniques
and on the use of the equipment. Since each snow event
is unique, this training is critical. Fluctuating
temperatures, snowfall type and duration influence how
to best treat the streets.
The Department’s trucks include the most up-to-date snow
removal equipment available. This equipment includes a
liquid de-icing system and sensors that automatically
dispense the proper amount of salt and liquids onto the
roadway. The liquids allow road treatment to be more
effective at low temperatures. The sensors enable the
Department to efficiently use the materials at their
maximum benefit for the least cost. Trucks are also
equipped with a plow for heavy snowfall events.
The Department strives to clear the streets within four
hours of an event. To accomplish this goal, the City is
divided into nine routes. Each route is serviced by an
experienced driver who is familiar with the streets on
that route. For extended snowfall events, Departmental
personnel are divided into two crews. If necessary, the
crews rotate on twelve hour shifts in order to
continuously treat the streets and maintain access for
other emergency personnel.
The Department is responsible for treating all City
streets. State routes such as Houston Road, U.S. 42,
Turfway Road or KY 18 are treated by the Kentucky
Department of Transportation. In emergency situations,
City crews may assist KDOT on these roads.
There are nearly 3,000 street signs
located on City-maintained streets. These signs include
regulatory signs such as speed limits, yields, no
parking and stop signs, and street identification
signage. The Department is responsible for installing
and maintaining these signs in compliance with
regulations governing the placement and construction of
these signs. Regulatory signs are governed by the Manual
on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and by local
ordinances. The MUTCD is a universal regulation used
across the country and includes guidelines for
placement, size, height, color, reflectivity, and
quantity. Each time a sign is reported missing or
damaged, crews are dispatched to correct the problem.
Priority signs such as stop signs require immediate
attention.
The Department has a computerized sign-making system.
All street identification signs are designed and
manufactured by Department personnel. In 1995, the
Department initiated an oversized identification sign
program for the entire City. All City streets are
clearly identified by oversized street signs.
Additionally, the Department completed the sign upgrade
program in early 2000. This program evaluated City signs
for reflectivity, placement, size, and sign quality. The
program goal is to ensure that all City signs comply
with MUTCD requirements. The upgrade included a new pole
system designed to reduce maintenance requirements.
In addition to street signs, the Department is
responsible for ensuring proper street markings
(striping). The Department stripes all multi-lane City
streets and all commercial streets. Residential streets
do not require any street markings. The striping is
regulatory and assists not only the motoring public but
also helps the Police enforce traffic laws and determine
facts in accident reconstruction.
Each spring, Department personnel evaluate striped
streets to determine the extent of striping required
that year. The City engineer provides a striping plan
and bid sheet for the needed work. Street striping is
contracted work due to the high cost of specialized
equipment.
The City of Florence currently
maintains approximately 60 miles of roadway. There are
276 streets maintained by the Department. These streets
include over 128 lane miles. The Public Services
Department divides street management into four primary
areas of responsibility. These areas are as follows:
Q: Why is there no parking allowed
on street sweeping or leaf pickup days?
A: Crews need to have access to get the Sweeper Truck
access to the entire street.
Q: When will my street be resurfaced?
A: All City Of Florence streets are rated on their
present pavement condition. There is a Pavement
Management Master Plan that prioritizes each street
based on the pavement conditions and the available
budget. Typically, main streets and secondary collectors
receive a higher priority of pavement resurfacing than
residential streets.
Q: Where do the storm drains run to?
A: All storm drains in the street run into a nearby
creek or stream. They do not run into the sanitary sewer
system. Storm drains are for run-off water only that is
why is so important not to dump any other chemicals such
as motor oil, antifreeze and paint or materials such as
grass clippings and leaves into the storm drains.
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